From The East - 2007

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Brethren,

What a fantastic year 2007 has been and what a fantastic meeting we had in November. Right Worshipful Wimpy Isgett, Sr., with the help of many of our brothers, served a wonderful meal of oysters. They were prepared fried, stewed, and we even enjoyed them raw with delicious hushpuppies.  Many of the brethren brought their wives and families. Pumpkin pie topped off an excellent meal. We had the honor and pleasure of having our Grand Senior Warden, Jeffery Eugene Hodges, with us to enjoy the fellowship in the dining hall and during the meeting.  

Our newest raised Master Mason, Joseph M. Hardwicke, stood examination on the Master Mason's catechism with the assistance of Right Worshipful Guy M. Blankenship, III. Both did an outstanding job. My wife Carol and I presented Joe with a Master Mason's ring during supper. Joseph is my nephew and I am very proud of him! Worshipful Bert Hobson, the Masonic Home of Virginia (MAHOVA) Ambassador, presented our Lodge with the Most Worshipful John Powers Stokes plaque and award for outstanding contributions made to the MAHOVA in 2006. This marks the second year in a row Henrico Union has won the award and our present totals ensure us that we will receive the award again for the 2007 year.   Congratulations and keep up the good work!
In November we celebrated Past Masters’ night in Henrico Union Lodge, and our Past Masters did an excellent job. Worshipful Jimmy Hurt, our senior active Past Master, occupied the East for the evening.

November is also a sad month for me. It means my tenure serving as your Worshipful Master is coming to a close. I cannot believe how the year has passed so quickly. I have certainly enjoyed being Master. Working with a great line of officers has really made it a memorable time. We have a very talented group of brothers slated for line officers next year. I am confident that they will lead the Lodge through the coming years with wisdom and compassion. 

We have an historical event planned for December. We will have our regular election of officers at our stated meeting on December 4^th, and then on December 7^th we will have an Open Installation of officers. But not just a regular open installation.  Henrico Union Lodge No. 130 and Sandston Lodge No. 216 will have a combined Open Installation of Officers Ceremony on December 7, 2007 at 6:30 PM. This will allow our families, friends, and the public to get an insight into Masonry, our Lodge, and its furnishings, and our duties and responsibilities as Masons and officers of the Lodge.  It will be a night to remember! Refreshments will follow the ceremony. Please, attend and be a part of this historical event. I have never heard of this being done prior to now, and believe that it will be a wonderful opportunity to share Masonry with others.

I sincerely hope that everyone will have a wonderful Thanksgiving, a Merry Christmas and a safe, happy, healthy, and successful New Year.  The time we spend with our families during the holidays is priceless, so please enjoy and cherish it! I do hope to see you on December 4^th & 7th. May God bless Henrico Union Lodge, each of us, our families, friends, troops and loved ones. We pray that God will continue to keep us in his divine hands and give us wisdom.

Sincerely and Fraternally,
Lawrence “Larry” Swann Hardwicke               
Worshipful Master 2007

Brethren,

It is with great sadness that I prepare this message for the trestle board. Our dear friend and  brother, Right Worshipful Chuck Tompson, Sr.  passed away Saturday afternoon, September 29, 2007.
Chuck was a very remarkable man. He served as Master of our Lodge in 1956 which was the 100th anniversary year of the Lodge and he served as Master again in 2006 in which we celebrated the 150th anniversary of Henrico Union Lodge.  I don't believe that accomplishment will ever be topped. He was our Treasurer for 43 years, a District Deputy Grand Master, a District Instructor of Work for many years and of course mentored many candidates and brethren in Masonic instruction. While he was doing all of this, he raised his family and was well respected in his church and community. He was not only active in his blue Lodge, but was also a member of the Eastern Star where he served as Worthy Patron nine times. Chuck also was the Grand Lodge of Virginia's representative to the state of Missouri. Masonry has lost a great Mason and a Masonic jewel. He and his lessons will forever remain in our our memories and our hearts, and we pray that God will bless his family.

Our October meeting was a great success. We celebrated  Senior Warden's night and Right Worshipful Wimpy
Isgett, Sr. pulled double duty yet again. He served a delicious dinner and conducted a wonderful productive meeting from the East. Most Worshipful Frederick G. Martin III  presented a two part program with part one addressing the topic of Founders Day, and part two opening the Lodge up for discussion and sharing sentiments, fond stories and remembrances about and in honor of our recently departed Brother, Right Worshipful Charles William Tompson, Sr.  It was a deeply moving program, and ended up being therapeutic and enjoyed by all. Thank you Most Worshipful Fred for always coming through for your Lodge!

Brethren, I can hardly believe the November meeting is coming up so soon. My year in the East is almost over. I have certainly enjoyed the privilege of serving as your Worshipful Master.

In November, we will celebrate Past Master's night. I am looking forward to seeing the Past Masters and affiliated Past Masters take care of our Lodge business. Worshipful Jim Hurt has agreed to occupy the East for the evening and will have a fine slate of Past Masters and affiliated Past Masters to assist him. I urge all  brethren members and visitors alike, and especially any Past Masters to come out support our Lodge on such a momentous evening.  We have oysters on the menu, so we will eat oysters and watch the Past Masters work. What else could you ask for?  Please contact the Lodge secretary by e-mail, phone call, regular mail or in person to reserve for the evening. We want to try to get an accurate count so that we will have plenty of oysters. We are requesting a $ 10.00 dollar donation for the all you can eat event to cover our expenses. If any brother should need transportation to the meeting, please contact any officer. I hope to see you there. God bless you all.

Sincerely and Fraternally,
Lawrence “Larry” Swann Hardwicke               
Worshipful Master 2007

Brethren,

Fall has arrived and we can begin to enjoy the relief from the summer heat and also enjoy the beautiful colors of the season. I hope you all have had a good summer. I warned the members of our Lodge in last month’s bulletin that Right Worshipful Wimpy Isgett had a previous commitment for the September meeting and as such could not prepare one of his delicious meals for us. Therefore the cooking and dinner preparation was left up to me. At the end of our September meeting I was amazed to see that all of the members who attended the meeting were still alive and in good health after eating my cooking.

Seriously, I hope that you all enjoyed it, and I believe that we all had a good evening together. Thank you for your many kind comments, and for your assistance.

At the September meeting, Worshipful Brother Buddy Bass delivered a very interesting message on the topic of Native Americans and Freemasonry. It was enjoyed by all and we sincerely thank you Worshipful Buddy! As we look forward to our October 2^nd meeting, we are delighted that one of our own members, Most Worshipful Fred Martin will be our speaker for the evening. Please come to our meeting and hear the message that he has to share with us. I know that you will enjoy the food, the fellowship and the program. Remember your obligation and support your Lodge!

I am saddened to report that as of this writing Right Worshipful Chuck Tompson, Sr. is still in the hospital with pneumonia and fluid in his lungs. I encourage you all to keep him and all of those who are sick or distressed in your prayers. Please let me remind you that should any brother need a ride, contact any Lodge officer and we will gladly arrange transportation for you. I pray that God will continue to bless us all.

Sincerely and Fraternally,
Lawrence “Larry” Swann Hardwicke               
Worshipful Master 2007

Brethren,

I must tell you, this Lodge is amazing! Each meeting just gets better and better. Our Table Lodge was absolutely FANTASTIC! And to make things even better, our Grand Master, Most Worshipful G. Bernard Dungan Jr. was in attendance. Right Worshipful Wimpy Isgett, Sr. performed his magic again.
Our dinner was quite a feast. The steaks were perfect along with the dinner salads, bread and delicious potatoes and dessert.  We had a really nice mix of members and visitors which made for a wonderful night
of fellowship. The toasts and responses that were given were all well thought out and presented.
Thank you all for making the evening a success. It is fine brethren like you that will keep our craft flourishing.  

I hope you can attend our September meeting. Worshipful Brother Buddy Bass will be our speaker. As we will wear casual attire and have a nicely air conditioned Lodge room, there is no excuse for you to stay at home. Come on out and enjoy the fellowship. Now for the bad news; Due to a previous commitment, Right Worshipful Wimpy Isgett will be unable to be at the September meeting. That means I will be the chef for the evening.
I can't match Wimpy's expertise in the kitchen, but I promise not to make anyone sick and that you will get plenty to eat. Come on out and assist me with the cooking duties if you will! The fellowship during that time is great!

There has been a lot of sickness lately, and we need to keep these brethren and their family members in our prayers. Please contact one of the Lodge officers if you have any information about a sick or distressed brother. I am looking forward to seeing you on September 4th. May God bless our Troops, our Country and our Fraternity.

Sincerely and Fraternally,
Lawrence “Larry” Swann Hardwicke               
Worshipful Master 2007

Brethren, 

Sincerely and Fraternally,
Lawrence “Larry” Swann Hardwicke               
Worshipful Master 2007

Brethren, 

Henrico Union Lodge is on the move! Moving toward the future that is. As for our physical location we are settling in to our new home at the Masonic Temple 40 W. Williamsburg Road. We are working together with the good brethren from Sandston Lodge and I am pleased to report that all is going smoothly. It has been a fun and rewarding relationship and we are just getting started! At the midpoint of our year I can report that your Lodge has been very active in the first six months. Recently we assisted in the district Masonic picnic at the Masonic Home of Virginia and we have also raised two new brethren. I extend my congratulations and warmest welcome on behalf of the Lodge to our two newest Master Masons, Brother Vincent Keith Carver and Brother Joseph Meredith Hardwicke. Keith and Joe are both fine young men and no doubt have bright futures in Freemasonry. Please join me in welcoming them! 

Once again I find myself indebted to the dedicated brethren who have assisted me during my illness, and I want you all to know how much I appreciate your help. Right Worshipful Wimpy Isgett as always, has been a lifesaver with the dinners and planning our called meeting. Thanks to Right Worshipful Guy Blankinship, III who occupied the East during our latest called communication and performed magnificently. Thanks go out to each person who had a part in our degree work. I also offer thanks to those brethren from outside the Lodge who assisted us. Special thanks go to Worshipful D.R. Carter who delivered the lecture flawlessly and in an excellent manner that was appreciated by all.

 At our July 3^rd Stated Communication, Right Worshipful Paul Reardon will bring us our message, which I am sure you will enjoy. Please come out to support this fine Mason. We will have cold cuts for dinner, and I have ordered dress to be casual, no coat and tie required for the summer. The Lodge room is nicely air conditioned so I am sure you will be comfortable and enjoy the fellowship. As we look further down the road to August, I am also excited about our August meeting because we will be conducting a Table Lodge. The menu will be steak and baked potato, but reservations are required. Please contact the secretary and let him know how many will be attending in your party. The special date for this meeting will be August 14, 2007, which is the second Tuesday of the month. Please take note of this change. I hope to have a full house for this occasion, and if you have never attended a Table Lodge, come out and enjoy the fun. It is an experience that you will always treasure.

Finally I want to thank our Tiler, Worshipful Bob Eck for all of his hard work. Bob has been putting in extra time trying to organize and clean some of our Lodge paraphernalia.  As an example of one of the many behind the scenes chores that Bob is performing, take note of the clean white aprons we now enjoy. Worshipful Bob has been cleaning and ironing them for us! Worshipful Bob is usually the first to arrive and set up the Lodge and the last to leave and lock up. Please give him a nod of thanks and let him know how much we appreciate all of his efforts. Thank you Worshipful Bob Eck!

I look forward to seeing you all on July 3^rd.  Please be safe in your summer travels and may God continue to bless you and your families. 

Sincerely and Fraternally,
Lawrence “Larry” Swann Hardwicke               
Worshipful Master 2007

Brethren, 

It is wonderful to be a part of such a great organization as Freemasonry. As you probably know,  I have been recovering from health problems and was unable to attend the May Stated meeting.

I am sorry that I had to miss the meeting but I have heard that the dinner, the meeting and the program
were all a great success.

We continue to be indebted to Right Worshipful Wimpy Isgett for our delicious dinners. I also appreciate Right Worshipful Wimpy stepping up and taking all responsibility for conducting the meeting and handing the business of the Lodge during my illness. It is great to have qualified officers and to know that our Lodge is always in good hands. I am also told that Right Worshipful Donald Traser presented quite a remarkable program that was highly educational and thoroughly enjoyed by all. Right Worshipful Don is truly an asset to Freemasonry and we are always glad to have him in # 130.

As we look to the future, we should all be excited about the possibilities for Henrico Union Lodge.
I have requested and received a special dispensation to allow us to conduct or June 5^th meeting at our new Lodge location at 40 W. Williamsburg Road, Sandston, Virginia. In fact we will also have a called meeting at that location on May 24^th  at 7:00 P.M. as we examine an Entered Apprentice and pass him to the Degree of Fellowcraft. Please plan to attend as we need your assistance and want to properly impress our new brother.

The brethren from Sandston Lodge No. 216 have been most cordial and kind to us and we look forward to a long successful relationship with them. Please take notice that our new Lodge location and home will be at the Masonic Temple located at 40 W. Williamsburg Road, Sandston VA.

The Lodge room is located upstairs, above the post office with the entrance on the side of the building on Confederate Avenue. Parking is available in the church parking lost adjacent to the building and along the street. There is a chair lift for anyone who has difficulty negotiating stairs. Please note that our June 5^th Stated Communication will be held under dispensation due to the location change to 40 W. Williamsburg Road.
You should also note that officially our move becomes effective on July 1, 2007, and thereafter all subsequent meetings will be held at our new location. 

Please accept this as your personal invitation to attend on June 5^th as I sincerely hope that we can have as many brethren as possible present for our inaugural meeting at our new home. I would like to fill the seats of the Lodge room for this meeting and need you there to do it. Please plan to come out and be a part of an historic evening for Henrico Union Lodge. I have asked Worshipful Bob Pagani to be our speaker, and I am sure that he will bring a message that you will enjoy and will be commensurate with the occasion.  Remember your obligation and plan to attend to support your Lodge!

Finally, allow me to thank each of you for keeping me in your prayers during my illness. It has been difficult but the cards, phone calls and most especially the prayers have helped and I appreciate each of them. I encourage you all to keep our distressed and in fact all of our brethren in your prayers.

Please be safe, particularly as summer travels begin and may God Bless you and your family!

Sincerely and Fraternally,
Lawrence “Larry” Swann Hardwicke               
Worshipful Master 2007

Brethren, 

I appreciate those of you who attended our April Stated Communication as we made
important decisions for the future of our Lodge. While our numbers may not be as large
as they were just a few years ago, we have a wonderful core of brethren. I sincerely believe that we have a truly dedicated line of officers. They have been working diligently and are attending our Masonic classes as well as planning for the future. I can’t say thank you enough to each of these brethren or to Worshipful Ray Campbell who continues to instruct our brethren at our “Henry C. Durbin Memorial Masonic Class”. We have two brethren currently in degree work, and I encourage you all to bring us more petitions and applications!  We are laying the foundation for growth in Henrico Union Lodge and we are excited about new potential and opportunities.

At the April meeting, our Lodge approved the resolution for us to move to the Sandston Masonic Temple.
Your secretary filed the necessary paper work the following day with our District Deputy Grand Master, and we currently await the approval from our Grand Master. If and when approved, our first meeting at the Sandston location will be our Stated Communication on July 3, 2007. We sincerely thank the Sandston brethren for being so gracious and accommodating to us in this transition. We look forward to working with them in many Masonic functions in the near future. We also express our deepest thanks to Thomas N. Davis Lodge and to each of their members who gave us a home when we needed one, and have been so kind to us through the years. I know that our friendships and brotherhood will remain strong as we work together to improve Masonry. 

As we look forward to the May 1^st Stated Communication, Right Worshipful Donald R. Traser will be our speaker and I am confident that you will enjoy his program. I also encourage you to plan to be with us on May 10^th as we expect work in the Master Masons Degree.

Finally, on behalf of Henrico Union Lodge, we express our deepest sympathies to the entire Virginia Tech family. Be safe and may God Bless you and your family!

Sincerely and Fraternally,
Lawrence “Larry” Swann Hardwicke               
Worshipful Master 2007

Brethren,

I sincerely wish to thank all of you who attended our last meeting. We had a real good showing. For those of you who missed the meeting, you missed another of Right Worshipful Wimpy’s great meals! The corned beef and cabbage was outstanding. Right Worshipful Wimpy has been kind enough to donate his time and the dinners to our Lodge and we are indebted to him. Thanks again Brother Wimpy.

Brethren, at our next meeting, we will be voting on a by-laws change for our Lodge, that, if approved will see us moving in the near future. You will find the proposed change printed elsewhere in this bulletin and on our web site. Please be in attendance as we make these important decisions for our Lodge. We have a new Fellowcraft whom we look forward to raising soon and we have a new candidate whom we plan to initiate as an Entered Apprentice on March 23rd. It is wonderful to have degree work in the Lodge again. I extend a special thanks to Worshipful Wilbur Matthews for his generous last minute assistance to us during our work in the second degree. I also offer my sincere appreciation to all of you who have assisted and supported the Lodge during the degree work. Your dedication and efforts are what makes Masonry strong.

Also at our next Stated Communication on April 3rd, we will be making our recommendation for the office of District Deputy Grand Master and alternate from District 15-B for the Masonic year 2008. As always this is an important nomination so plan to attend and take part.

We are pleased to report that Right Worshipful Bill Thomas seems to be on the mend after his horrible attack. Please keep him and all of our ill and distressed brethren, families and friends in your thoughts and prayers.

As the temperature rises and spring begins, I hope to see more of you at our meetings. We need your support and the friendship and brotherhood are always in abundance. Brethren, as always, if anyone needs a ride, please contact any Lodge officer and we will make arrangements for you. I look forward to seeing you in April. Be safe and may God Bless you and your family!

Sincerely and Fraternally,
Lawrence “Larry” Swann Hardwicke               
Worshipful Master 2007

Brethren,

I would like to take this opportunity to thank each and everyone who attended our February stated meeting.

The support for our Lodge and for our District Deputy Grand Master on his official visit was good to see.
Right Worshipful Grover Cleveland “Bud” Sanders III brought the Grand Master’s message to us in a
grand fashion, and we hope he will visit us again soon. 

We also had the honor and pleasure of helping Brother Francis Meyerhoeffer celebrate his 90th birthday.
We wish him many many more!

It was so good to see Right Worshipful Wimpy Isgett back in the saddle again. Right Worshipful Wimpy also donated and prepared our excellent supper of oyster pie and baked chicken with all the trimmings.
Thank you Brother Wimpy! It was delicious!

At our meeting, we received the traveling gavel from Worshipful Brother Kenneth W. Stanley and the
brethren from Sandston Lodge No. 216.  It will be our pleasure to present this to another Lodge for
their enjoyment. Plan to travel together with us as we present it to another Lodge in our district.

We will have work in the Fellowcraft Degree in late February and expect to have work in the Entered
Apprentice Degree in March. Please plan to be with us. We need your assistance and support as we
work in each of these degrees.

Make sure you attend our March stated meeting, where Right Worshipful Wimpy Isgett will present us
with traditional Irish cuisine for our dinner. I am sure it will be tasty.

Brethren, remember anyone desiring transportation to or from our meetings, please contact a Lodge
officer and we will arrange transportation for you. God Bless our troops, our fraternity, and our families.
I look forward to seeing you on March 6^th.

Sincerely and Fraternally,
Lawrence “Larry” Swann Hardwicke               
Worshipful Master 2007

Brethren,

We had a great meal and a good meeting to start off the new year at our January Stated Communication.
I do appreciate all of our brothers who attended.

Our Senior Warden, Right Worshipful Wimpy Isgett, went in to the hospital the Wednesday before Christmas and was just recently released after twenty six days on January 15th. Please keep Brother Wimpy in your prayers and let's hope that he will have a speedy and full recovery. We sure missed him at the January meeting!

I hope that you plan to attend our February 6th Stated Communication. Our District Deputy Grand Master,
Right Worshipful Grover Cleveland "Bud" Sanders III will make his official visit to our Lodge to bring us his and the Grand Master's message for 2007. Please take time out of your busy schedules to attend your Lodge and show your support for our District Deputy. He is working very hard for Masonry and for our District and we
need to demonstrate our support for him and for Masonry.

Our Grand Master Most Worshipful G. Bernard Dungan, Jr. has proclaimed that all Lodges observe Masonic Recognition Day on the first day of each month. This can be accomplished by the wearing of Masonic apparel such as pins, hats, buckles, shirts, ties, jackets etc... We are further encouraged to make every day a recognition day by the studying of Masonic literature and Masonic materials and holding discussions with well informed brethren for educational purposes. By these means we gain more favorable public recognition. Remember that each of us bears special responsibility in our actions because all of our actions reflect Masonry
to others. Do good unto all!

Please remember that if anyone needs a ride to the Lodge simply call any Lodge officer and we will arrange
a ride for you. I look forward to seeing you on February 6th. God Bless you all.

Sincerely and Fraternally,
Lawrence "Larry" Swann Hardwicke
Worshipful Master 2007

2006 From The East Messages

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